Episode 146

“The emperor has had a second awakening too.”

“I know.”

“Let’s go together, Yurian.”

“I can’t.”

“You could die, Yurian.”

Yurian felt oddly pleased that Yvonne matched his firm tone with one of her own. Despite her injuries, she was still breathtaking. Her soaked hair clung to her face, making her look almost like a water spirit.

Even in this high-stress moment, he realized the tension she gave him was different—something thrilling, not threatening. It made him smile.

“If you’re happy, Yvonne, then I don’t mind dying.”

“I told you not to say things like that!”

“I’ve been so happy just being by your side… Honestly, I think I could die without regrets.”

“Then would it be fine with you if I married someone else and lived with him?”

Yurian didn’t know whether he was more overjoyed that she called him Yuri or that she was mad at him. His heart beat wildly again as he smiled and answered,

“If I’m alive, that man will die.”

“Why do you say that with a smile?”

“Because it makes me happy that you’re worried about me. And I love the nickname. It’s the first time you’ve called me Yuri, isn’t it?”

Yurian didn’t think he could ever let her be with another man. Still, if he were to die with the emperor—or even if he survived but was seriously injured—he didn’t want to keep Yvonne by his side only to bring her misery.

He’d rather see her happy from afar than suffering near him. Of course, if that were the case, he’d rather die altogether.

Even so, he loved the way she looked at him, the way her eyes softened when she was happy. So he said:

“Ugh…!”

“Stop saying such nonsense!”

Yvonne, clearly upset, struck him on the shoulder. He let out a groan—not in pain, but because her tiny fists pounding against his chest made him strangely happy.

“Do you think I can live without you, Yurian?”

“…”

“How can someone say that and call themselves a person?”

Her face was now full of genuine anger—and Yurian felt his heart swell in his chest. He was so in love with her it hurt. If someone were to crack his heart open, he was sure it’d be the same color as her—violet.

“I swear I’ll come back alive.”

“Then let me go with you.”

“If I do come back… will you marry me?”

Yvonne froze, holding her breath. Then, slowly and with a resolute sigh, she answered. Yurian had expected her to scold him. Even a vague reply would’ve made him happy, as long as it wasn’t a rejection.

“…Alright.”

Yurian’s eyes widened in surprise. He thought for sure she’d be angry.

“Really?”

“If you’re going to ask again, I take it back!”

“I won’t allow that.”

“Mmph—!”

He grabbed her chin before she could say something else and kissed her. As Yurian’s tongue swept through her mouth, Yvonne, flustered and angry, pushed him away.

“You’ve gotten good at that.”

“Really? Good enough to feel nice?”

“There you go again…”

Yurian laughed and slowly leaned in again. This time, Yvonne closed her eyes gently—choosing not to resist. She liked the way he smelled.

“Ahem.”

“Still lacking in timing, Evon?”

“Step aside, Duke Leonhardt.”

“Evon!”

Startled, Yvonne placed a hand on Yurian’s face to push him away and turned to check on Evon. She was embarrassed, but Evon was calmly using her ability to assess Yvonne’s condition.

“Just some scrapes.”

“I’ve confirmed that.”

“Eyes closed. I need a bit of guiding from my wife.”

“She’s not your wife yet. No formal marriage, so that’s not allowed.”

“Yvonne, calm my mana for me.”

“Let’s go outside, Your Grace.”

Yvonne found it strangely unsettling that Evon and Yurian were so at odds. It seemed they weren’t as compatible as she’d thought.

“Evon.”

“Yes?”

“Could you close your eyes for a moment?”

“…Yes.”

Because of what she’d heard earlier, Evon reluctantly turned her back and closed her eyes. The moment she did, Yvonne threw her arms around Yurian’s neck. He smiled fondly and caressed her cheek, then trailed his fingers along the curve of her ear and kissed her again.

“Mmph…”

Yvonne tried her best not to let a sound escape. Yurian was unusually persistent today. When he pressed hard on her shoulder, Yvonne’s mind went blank—and she lost consciousness.

“Take her.”

Yurian looked down at her unconscious face with tenderness.

“Will you be alright alone?”

“Yvonne mustn’t be in danger.”

Evon had initially planned to take Yvonne away from him. But after witnessing everything—how he had saved them both, how Yvonne had clung to him—she realized their feelings were genuine.

She knew Yvonne had never truly opened her heart to any man. But with Yurian, it was different. She had seen it with her own eyes.

Besides, the Hildebrandt she once loved no longer existed. He had changed. And Yvonne was no longer the woman she was before death.

“I like a son-in-law who can make my daughter happy.”

“I like a mother-in-law who protects my wife well.”

Yurian’s reply made Evon smile as she hoisted Yvonne onto her back.

“You’ll find Marquess Rohan at the border zone.”

“Why him, of all people?”

“If I’m gone, he’s the best one to stay by her side.”

Yurian hated Marquess Rohan. Even if it was Yvonne’s past choice, he was the man she had once picked over him.

Still, if Yurian was heading into a battle he might not survive, it was better that someone Yvonne had once chosen be by her side. And Rohan’s love for her had always been sincere.

“I’m not going to die.”

“Good. I hate pathetic sons-in-law.”

At Evon’s sharp remark, Yurian let out a small laugh and looked at the unconscious Yvonne.

When she wakes up, he promised himself, he would call her his wife.

And with that, he turned toward where the emperor awaited.

* * *

“Put me down.”

Yvonne had woken up. She had known Yurian would pull something like this—but not during a kiss. Her mind was hazy, and she thought she would be furious—but oddly, she wasn’t.

Just as she feared Yurian’s death, he must have felt the same about hers.

“I said, put me down.”

“I can’t.”

“Evon.”

“I know you’ll try to run.”

Evon answered coldly. Even if her daughter had no memories of her, she still wanted to protect her. And now she understood—Yurian’s method was the best option. They had to head to the original rendezvous point.

“Why do you think I would?”

“Do you know how many years I’ve served Your Highness?”

“…”

“The resolve you speak of isn’t a good kind of resolve. You only find happiness by surviving—only then is there a next step.”

“If Yurian dies, what’s the point?”

“Have you forgotten what Duke Leonhardt said?”

Yvonne fell silent and loosened her body on Evon’s back. She dangled like a sack of rice, her arms and legs swaying so much it made her nauseous.

“Why did you take Yurian’s side, Evon?”

“I’m not on his side. I’m on yours.”

“Oh.”

Strangely, Yvonne felt something in her heart stir at that. It wasn’t the flutter she felt with Yurian—it was a warmer kind of feeling.

“Why…?”

“Because Your Highness is my treasure.”

The words didn’t feel like a lie—and that made it even more confusing. Yvonne didn’t know what Evon saw in her to believe in her so fully.

“You’re pretty good at flattery.”

“You know I’m not the flattering type.”

“Yeah. I just feel a little shy, that’s all.”

“I know.”

Evon finally set Yvonne down.

“I’ll carry you on my back.”

“…Okay.”

Yvonne felt relieved—the pressure on her chest was gone. Evon crouched down, and Yvonne leaned onto her back, wrapping her arms gently around her neck.

“I want to be a physical ability-user too.”

“You command them. That’s good enough.”

Yvonne sighed. Yurian, Evon—everyone treated her like she was someone important, but she herself had no powers. It made her feel small. If only she had some kind of special ability like they did…

“Yvonne!”

“Kes?”

They had arrived. Marquess Rohan was waiting—surrounded by knights in Leonhardt colors.

“Why are you here, Kes?”

“Because I have to protect you.”

Yvonne blinked in disbelief. She hadn’t expected him and Yurian to work together.

“That’s surprising.”

“Are you surprised because you’re happy to see me?”

“I’m surprised you’re still shameless, that’s what.”

“I’m just happy you still call me Kes, Yvonne.”

Evon, clearly displeased with Marquess Rohan, refused to put Yvonne down. When he stepped forward, Evon gave him a sharp glare and stepped back.

“Where’s the gate?”

“Outside the palace perimeter.”

“Let’s go.”

Marquess Rohan wanted to carry her himself, but he now clearly understood that Evon was Yvonne’s real mother—so he didn’t argue, trying instead to stay in her good graces.

With a forced smile, he led his knights toward the escape route they had prepared.

The destination was a ruined area in the east—only the remnants of a gate once hidden among the wreckage.

But—

“Found you.”

Francis Jevenel and his knights appeared, blocking their path with drawn swords.